Heating System Comparison



Efficiency

	Electric Radiant Heat System	Forced Air & Gas Heating System
Efficiency at 100% of capacity	100%	60-90%
Efficiency at 50% of capacity	100%	30-60%
Efficient - relative thermal	100%	50-75%
100% of energy is delivered to heat element	Yes	No
Proper sized capacity of "off Peak" conditions	Yes	No

Maintenance

	Electric Radiant Heat System	Forced Air & Gas Heating System
Maintenance Free - No annual maintenance required - i.e. clean or change filters	Yes	No
Easy to repair	Yes	No
Controls - simple and reliable	Yes	Varies

Cost Savings

	Electric Radiant Heat System	Forced Air & Gas Heating System
Expandable - easily and economically	Yes	No
Unlimited decorating options - i.e. no registers, grills, radiators)	Yes	No
Installation and Operation - Simple	Yes	No
Vent Free - i.e. no venting required to outside and combustion air required	Yes	No

Remodeling

	Electric Radiant Heat System	Forced Air & Gas Heating System
Retrofit - ability	Yes	No
Retrofit into joist space effectively	Yes	No
Simple modification for remodeling	Yes	No
Easy and effective for large or small areas	Yes	No
Minimal floor section height increase (1/8" or less)	Yes	Yes

Health & Safety

	Electric Radiant Heat System	Forced Air & Gas Heating System
Health & Medical (doesn't distribute dust, pollen, allergens through the air)	Yes	No
Environmentally-friendly (greenhouse, glycol, etc)	Yes	No
Safety (no high-voltage, no hot surfaces, no combustible gases)	Yes	No